What is Schengen?
The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passports and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.
How long does Schengen visa take in South Africa?
You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance. In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.
How much is a visa from South Africa to Europe?
South African citizens submitted a number of 206,786 visa applications, last year alone.
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Schengen Visa Fees for South Africans.
| VISA CATEGORY | VISA FEE IN EURO | VISA FEE IN RAND |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa low tariff (minors 6-11 years) | 35 | 580 |
| Children under 6 | 0 | 0 |
Is there interview for Schengen visa?
A Schengen Visa permits a stay or travel to any member states that fall within the Schengen zone. So if you are planning to visit countries like Austria, Denmark, etc., you would probably apply for a Schengen Visa. While doing so, you will have to appear for an interview once the documentation is done.
The Schengen visa application costs include the visa fees payable at the corresponding embassy/consulate when applying.
| Schengen Visa Category | Fee in EUR | Fee in USD* |
| Adult | 80€ | 96$ |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | 40€ | 48$ |
| Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
| Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling for official purposes | Free | Free |
| A family member of an EU/EEA national | Free | Free |
| Pupils, students and accompanying teachers during a school trip | Free | Free |
| Researchers travelling to perform scientific research | Free | Free |
| Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. | 35€ | 42$ |
* The applicable visa fee in USD (US Dollar) is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.
Despite the fact that these fees are static and unchangeable until the Schengen members decide otherwise altogether, there are some categories exempt from paying this amount.
The visa fees may also be waived for participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organized by non-profit organizations. The decision will be made case by case according to the relevance of the event.
Again, in case the visa is denied there is no refund of the money paid.